Sequential timer



p 6, 1966 H. "r. SIMMONS ETAL 3,271,537

SEQUENTIAL TIMER Filed Dec. 5, 1964 5 sheets-sheet 1 HAROLD T. SIMMONSGEORGE A. HAMILTON ATTORNEY I INVENTORS.

P 6, 1956 H. T. SIMMONS ETAL 3,271,537

SEQUENTIAL TIMER Filed Dec. 3, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HAROLD T.SIMMONS GEORGE A. HAMILTON P 6, 1966 H. 'r. SIMMONS ETAL 3,271,537

SEQUENTIAL TIMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 3, 1964 INVENTORS. HAROLDT. SIMMONS BYGEORGE A. HAMILTON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,271,537SEQUENTIAL TIMER Harold T. Simmons and George A. Hamilton, Indianapolis,Ind., assignors to P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc., Indianapolis, 12111., acorporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 415,697 17 Claims.(Cl. 20038) The present invention relates to a sequential timer used tocontrol the operations of an electric appliance, more particularly to asequential timer used with a washing machine or the like. The sequentialtimer includes a novel actuator assembly means or actuator mechanismadapted to provide a means and method of purging the drain lines of thewashing machine regardless of the wash interval selected on thesequential timer.

Sequential timers are known and are successfully utilized to actuateelectrical circuitry at predetermined intervals of time and tothereafter deactuate the electrical circuitry at the termination of apredetermined interval of time. Within the broad field of sequentialtimers as applied to the appliance field, there exists a need to providea means of purging the drain lines of fluid regardless of the initialwash interval selected by the operator.

Several presently available sequential timers employ an initial purgecycle only if the full wash interval is selected. Several otherpresently available timing devices utilize no purge cycle because of theinability to employ a means that would allow the purging of the drainlines at the initiation of the washing cycle regardless of the timeinterval desired.

Several obvious benefits result from purging the drain lines at theinitiation of a timed cycle, one of which is that the full fluid levelin the washing machine is always :at substantially the same levelthereby affording uniform washing of fabrics regardless of when washed.A second obvious benefit is that the temperature of the wash fluidutilized is at -a uniform temperature, that is, incoming fluid is notmixed with cool fluid left in the machine from a previous wash.Therefore, the need arises for a simple, eflicient, accurate, andeffective sequential timer having the means of purging the drain linesregardless of the length of the wash cycle selected by the operator. Thepurge of the drain lines is accomplished at the initiation of the washcycle. The novel means of the present invention permits the operator toalter the time interval of the wash cycle, while still obtaining a purgeof the drain lines prior to the initiation of the fill cycle of theWashing machine. In using the present invention the operator is requiredto axially position a shaft prior to selecting the time interval of asecond wash cycle. When the shaft is so positioned, a line switch of thesequential timer is opened thereby preventing actuation of electricalcircuitry as the shaft is turned through 'arcuate positions that wouldactuate the electrical circuitry if the line switch was closed.

In sequential timers using a ramping means cooperatively associated witha shaft and a line switch to deactivate a line switch at the terminationof a programmed cycle, an excessive amount of torque is required toactuate the ramping means to thereby open the line switch. The device ofthe present invention achieves the same result, but includes provisionfor controlling termination within any given step in the cycle andrequires practically no torque. Present ramp means require excessivetorque and out of necessity must use three or four timer steps toachieve the end result of opening a line switch.

By the accompanying drawings and specification, the novel means andmethod whereby the present invention fulfills the required purpose willbe disclosed.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a uniquespring loaded actuator mechanism featur- "ice ing a locking means whichpermit electrical contacts to be engaged and retained in an engagedposition with no loading therefrom transferred to a control shaftthroughout a major portion of the timed interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring loadactuator mechanism including a means allowing variation in theinitiation point of a timed cycle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a springloaded actuator mechanism having an intermittently driven cam meanscooperatively associated therewith which causes simultaneous terminationof electrical circuits a predetermined interval of time after activationthereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a springloaded actuator mechanism which includes means for assuringdeenergization of energized circuits a predetermined interval of timeafter energization.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel springloaded actuator mechanism having optimum reliability characteristicsafforded by a compact construction having a minimum number of parts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple,efiicient, and practical spring loaded actuator mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a springloaded actuator mechanism occupying a minimum amount of space in thehousing of a sequential timer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel springloaded actuator mechanism that requires a relatively small torque toinitiate operation thereof.

The present invention in another of its aspects, relates to the novelfeatures of the instrumentalities of the invention described herein forteaching .the principal object of the invention and to the novelprinciples employed in the instrumentalities whether or not thesefeatures and principles may be used in the said object and/or in thesaid field.

With the aforementioned objects enumerated, other objects will beapparent to those persons possessing ordinary skill in the art. Otherobjects will appear in the following description, appended claims, andappended drawings. The invention resides in the novel combination,arrangement and cooperation of elements as hereinafter described andmore particularly as defined in the appended claims.

The appended drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention constructed to function in the most advantageous modes devisedfor the practical application of the basic principles involved in thehereinafter described invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l'is a perspective view of the sequential timing including thespring loaded actuator mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the sequential timer including thespring loaded actuator mechanism showing the actuator mechanism at itsinitial position.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the sequential timer including the springloaded actuator mechanism illustrating the actuator mechanism retainingmovable contacts in an engaged position with fixed contacts.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the sequential timer including thespring loaded actuator mechanism of FIG- URE 3 having parts partiallycut away.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the novel spring loaded actuator mechanismillustrating the movement of the actuator mechanism in full and dottedlines.

Generally speaking the means and method of the present invention relateto a sequential timer or timing device for sequentially actuating aplurality of electrical circuits. The device includes a means forsupport and a shaft journalled by the support means. An intermittentdrive means is coupled to and intermittently drives the shaft. Anactuator mechanism including a coded indicia means, more particularly apartially toothed cam means, is fixedly coupled to the shaft. Theactuator mechanism also includes an actuator means and a plurality ofcontact carrying blades. The actuator means includes a plurality ofsteps cooperatively associated with the coded indicia of the codedindicia means. The plurality of contact carrying blade means areretained in an engaged position with the fixed contacts by one of thesteps of the actuator means. Intermittent rotation of the coded indiciameans displaces the actuator means thereby disengaging the plurality ofcontact blade means from engagement with the fixed contacts to anotherstep of the actuator means.

More particularly, the present invention pertains to a timing deviceincluding a means for supporting the timing device, the means includinga pair of plates in spaced parallel relationship. A drive means isfixedly mounted on one of the plates. the drive means, said escapementmeans translating the constant motion output of the drive means to anintermittent motion output. A gear is coupled to the escapement means soas to be intermittently driven by the escapement means. An axiallypositionable, cam carrying shaft is journalled between the pairofplates. A plurality of cam means are fixedly coupled to the shaft. Thecam means includes peripheral rise and fall contours. A plurality offollower switches ride on the periphery of the cam means. 'The followerswitches are responsive to the rise and fall contours of the cam meansthereby making and breaking electrical continuity to the plurality ofelectrical circuits according to a desired sequence. A partially toothedcam is'fixedly coupled to the shaft. A spring load actuator means havinga surface of predetermined configuration has that surface riding on theperiphery of the partially toothed cam. The spring load actuatorisresponsive'to the partially toothed contours of that cam; The actuatormeans includes at least two discrete steps. A plurality of contactcarrying blade means are locked in engagement with fixed contacts by oneof the steps of the actuator means as the shaft is axially positioned.Thereafter, the intermittent rotational displacement of the partiallytoothed cam displaces the actuator means there- "by simultaneouslydisengaging the plurality of contact carrying blade means fromengagement with the fixed contacts. The disengagement of the contactcarrying blade means from the fixed contacts terminates actuation of atleast two of the electrical circuits.

Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the sequential timer means is generallyindicated by numeral 10. The vital components of the aforementionedsequential timer means include a drive motor 11 which is mechanicallycoupled to an escapement means dtl contained within housing 59,containing both the drive means and the escapement means. The escapementmeans translates the constant rotary motion output of the drive motor.to an intermittent, or step-by-step motion output. The output of theescapement means is coupled to pinion 12. Housing 59 is fixedly securedto a rear mounting plate 13 by a plurality of suitable mounting means(not shown) such as bolts, rivets, or the like. The mounting meansprevent horizontal and vertical displacement of the housing due tovibration, abusive handling or the like. The mounting meanspredeterminately locate pinion 12 with respect to gear 15. The gearmeshes with and is inter.- mittently driven by the pinion in acounterclockwise direction with a step-by-step rotary motion. Theconstructional details of the escapement mean-s have been held to aminimum since the escapement means utilized is a standard component.

A cam carrying shaft 14 is rotatably seated in therear mounting plate byany'suitable means. The cam carrying shaft extends outwardly from andprojects through the axis of and therefore fixedly carries thereon gear15.

An escapement means is coupled to Mounted in spaced parallelrelationship on the cam carrying shaft is a plurality of cam means 16.The shaft projects through the longitudinal axis of each of theindividual cams in such a manner that each of the cams is fixedlycoupled to and rotatable with the cam carrying shaft.

Each of the respective cam means 16 includes on the periphery thereof acam track 17. Each of the peripheral cam tracks includes coded indicia,such as rise and fall contours, which are utilized to displace afollower switch 18 to one of three predetermined positions. The positionof an individual follower switch is dependent on the particular portionof a cams contour on which the follower switch is riding. It is seenthat an individual follower switch operatively associated with theperiphery of an individual cam is located juxtaposition the periphery ofthat cam. As the shaft is intermittently rotated by the action of theescapement means, the respective follower switches riding on theoperatively associated cam tracks are displaced to one of threepredetermined positions, the switch positions determined by the contourof the particular cam track.

The plurality of follower switches 18, having external terminals, arefixedly coupled to .a terminal board 19 which is fabricated from anysuitable insulative material. A terminal board 20, fabricated from anysuitable insulative material, has fixedly mounted thereon, a pluralityof fixed contacts and terminals 21. At least two of the fixed contactsare operatively associated with each of the follower switches. Fixedlymounted in aperture 22 of terminal board 20'is actuator means 23 ofactuator mechanism 24.

The actuator means is fabricated from phenolic or other suitableinsulative material. The spring loaded actuator mechanism constitutesthe unique feature of the present invention because of its constructionand operation. The actuator mechanism includes the actuator means 23,partially toothed cam means 25 and a plurality of contact carrying blademeans 49 and 50. The partially toothed cam means is fixedly coupled tothe cam carrying shaft and is in spaced parallel relationship with cammeans 16.

The actuator means 23 includes a slotted substantially T-shaped actuator26, a coil spring means 27, and a retaining means 28. The retainingmeans has a recess that is so dimensioned that a stern portion 29 of theT-shaped actuator slidably interfits with the recess. Spring means 27 ispositioned between stem portion 29 and the recess of the retaining meanssuch that the spring means biases the substantially T-shaped actuatoroutwardly from the recess of the retaining means. The T-shaped actuatorcontains a slotted step 30 and a step 31 separated from a slotted step32 and a step 33 by stem portion 29. The various step portions of theT-shaped actuator are utilized to provide the means of actuating contactcarrying blade means thereby making and breaking electrical continuityto electrical circuits. A substantially V-shaped projecting surface 34projects from the T-shaped actuator and serves as the engaging surfacewith a toothed portion 35 of partially toothed'cam 25. It is seen thatthe V-shaped portion 34 interfits with one of the valley portions of thepartially toothed cam. Any subsequent displacement of the partiallytoothed cam would cause the V-shaped portion of the T-shaped actuator toride up the ramped portion of the individual tooth with which theV-shaped projection was interfitting thereby displacing the T-shapedactuator toward terminal board 20.

Front plate 36 provides a forward support for the cam carrying shaft.The front plate also serves as a means for retaining a means for axiallypositioning the cam carrying shaft. A hairpin spring means 37 is fixedlycoupled to a pair of mounting studs '38. The mounting studs are fixedlycoupled to the front mounting plate by any suitable means such as byrivets, welding, or the like. The hairpin spring is mounted in a planethat is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cam carryingshaft. Extremities or fingers of the hairpin spring engage one of theplurality of circumferential grooves cut in the periphery of the timershaft. The fingers are spring biased against the shaft therebymaintaining the shaft in a desired axial position. To alter the axialposition of the cam carrying shaft, the shaft is pushed or pulled,depending on the desired result or the initial axial position, tothereby alter or change the axial position of the shaft.

A suitable line switch 40 is utilized to actuate the sequential timer.Any one of several different types of line switches may be used. Onesuitable type of line switch is illustrated in FIGURES 2- and 3. Theline switch illustrated has a first contact carrying means 41 biased outof engagement with a second contact carrying means 42 by the partiallytoothed cam 25. The disengagement of the contact carrying mean-s opensan electrical circuit connected between the sequential timer and anelectrical source (not shown) when the cam carrying shaft is axiallypositioned as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The axial position of the camcarrying shaft shown in FIGURE 3 will be referred to hereinafter as thefirst axial position. When the shaft is in a second axial position asshown by the solid line of FIGURE 5, the partially toothed cam no longerbiases the first contact carrying means out of engagement with thesecond contact carrying means. The resilient action of the first contactcarrying means allows the first contact carrying means to engage thesecond contact carrying means. Upon engagement of the con-tact carryingmeans, an electrical circuit between the electrical source (not shown)and the sequential timer is closed, thereby electrically energizing thesequential timer. It is emphasized that the disclosed line switch meansis only one of several different types of line switch means that couldbe used in cooperative association with the axial shaft positioningmeans of the present invention and as such its description is merelyintended to facilitate the description of the present invention.

It is seen that the rear mounting plate and the front mounting plate arein spaced parallel relationship. Apertures centrally located in each ofthe respective mounting plates serve to seat the cam carrying shaft. Thecam carrying shaft projects through each of the apertures. A ring 43 ispositioned on frontmost side of each of the mounting plates so as tointerfit with a circumferential groove of the shaft juxtaposed each ofthe mounting plates. The rings prevent axial displacement of the camcarrying shaft beyond desired axial limits. Fixedly connected to anextremity of the cam carrying shaft, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, is acontrol knob 44. The control knob may have printed thereon any suitablemeans indicia which indicates the axial position of the cam carryingshaft.

As disclosed hereinbefore, the facility for mounting the switches andterminals thereof are provided by terminal boards 19 and 20, which arefabricated from any suitable insulative material. The respectiveengagements of these boards with the front mounting plate and the rearmounting plate in conjunction with spacer posts 45 and 46 providesstructural integrity and the alignment necessary for the propercooperative relationship between the cam means and the follower switchesand the partially toothed cam means and the actuator means of thesequential timer.

With the structural relationship of the various components in mind andby continued reference to the several figures of the drawings, thefollowing analysis of the operation of the present invention will servefurther to amplify the novelty of the present invention. With the lineswitch open as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 the sequential timer is inthe deenergized position. The cam carrying shaft is rotated to thedesired circumferential location corresponding to a desired wash timeinterval within the wash portion of the timing cycle. The rotationaldisplacement of the cam carrying shaft also serves to rotate the cammeans 16 and the partially toothed cam means 25 through the same numberof degrees. The partially toothed cam means may be advanced to anydesired time interval within the wash portion of the timing cycle. Thepartially toothed cam is illustrated as having 10 teeth which representeach one of the ten minutes of the usual wash time interval of thetiming cycle. If it is desired to make the wash interval of longer timeduration alterations are made to the appropriate cam of cam means 16-and in addition the number of teeth are increased to correspond to thenumber of minutes contained within the wash portion of the timing cycle.To decrease the time duration of the wash portion of the timing cycle,the appropriate cam of cam means 16 has its periphery altered so thatthe desired wash time interval is now programmed by the cam means. Thepartially toothed cam means has its number of teeth reduced tocorrespond to the number of minutes contained within the wash portion ofthe timing cycle.

To set the sequential timer the control shaft is axially pulled out sothat the fiat surface of the partially toothed cam of the cam nreansabuts tabs 47 and 48 of the respective resilient contact carrying blademeans 49 and 50. Further axial movement by the cam carrying shaftdisplaces the resilient, contact carrying blades such that the contactof contact carrying blade 49 engages fixed contact 51 and the contact ofcontact carrying blade 50 engages fixed contact 52. The engagement ofthe afore mentioned contacts serves to provide a mean-s whereby thetimer motor is coupled directly to the electrical source and the draincircuit is actuated. Engaging tip 53 carried by contact carrying blade49 and engaging tip 54 carried by contact carrying blade 50 aredisplaced in a forward direction by the partially toothed cam. Thelongitudinal width of the partially toothed cam is sufficiently wide sothat the V-s'halped projecting surface rides on the peripheral surfaceof the partially toothed cam regardless of the axial position of saidcam or the cam carrying shaft. It is seen that the V-shaped projectingsurface would be riding on the non-toothed portion of the cam since thenormal termination point of a timed cycle of the sequential timer issuch that the V-shaped projection is riding on the nontoothed portion ofthe cam. In such a position the T-shaped actuator is displaced in thedirection of arrow 57 thereby compressing spring means 27 storing energytherein. This location of components is illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Forward axial displacement of the cam carrying shaft causes tip 53 tounderlie slotted step 30 of the T-shaped actuator and tip 54 to underlieslotted step 32 of the T- shaped actuator. The respective tips do notinterfit with their respective slotted steps for the T-shaped actuatoris so biased that the tips are not of sufficient length to reach therespective slotted steps of the T-shaped actuator. The partially toothedcam continues to bias the actuator means in the direction of arrow '57.The cam carrying shaft is then rotated manually so as to program aportion of the wash cycle. It is seen that the T-shaped actuator is nolonger biased in the direction of arrow 57 by the non-toothed portion ofthe partially toothed cam but rather that the V-shaped portion of theT-shaped actuator is now interfitting with a valley portion of thepartially toothed cam. T-he T-shaped actuator is displaced to theinterfitting position by the release of the stored energy of the coilspring means in the direction of arrow 58. Slotted step 30 interfitswith engaging tip 53 and slotted step 32 interfits with engaging tip 54due to the downward displacement of the actuator means to aninterfitting position therewith. The slotted steps retain theirrespective tips at a predetermined locked position as illustrated inFIGURE 3. As a result of the engaging tips interfitting with theirrespective slotted steps, the contact carried by the contact carryingblade 49 is held in engagement with fixed contact 51 and the contactcarried by blade 50 is held in engagement with fixed contact 52. TheV-shaped projection 34 of the T-shaped actuator interfits with one ofthe valleys of the partially toothed cam 25. It is seen that if thetooth valleys did not exist the V-shaped projection would continue toride on the partially toothed cams periphery in such a position that theslotted steps would not interfit with their respective engaging tips butwould rather the slotted steps would overlie the engaging tips withoutlocking the tips in position as shown in FIGURE 3. As illustrated inFIGURE 3, the partially toothed cam biases line switch 44) to an opencondition.

To initiate the programmed cycle of the sequential timer, cam carryingshaft 14 is manually displaced in an inward axial direction. The inwardmovement of the cam shaft serves to activate a plurality of electricaland mechanical functions. Gear 15 is likewise displaced inwardly untilit engages in mesh with pinion 12. The motor 4 by means of theescapement means has its constant speed output translated by theescapement means to an intermittent or step-by-step output. Theintermittent output of the escapement means is transferred to gear 15 bythe pinion. It is seen that the ratchet wheel is fixedly coupled to thecam carrying shaft, therefore the intermittent motion of the gear istransferred to the cam carrying shaft and thus to any means carried onthe shaft such as the cam means and the partially toothed cam. Asdisclosed herein'before, the sequential timer is now in the position asshown by the solid lines of FIG- URES 4 and 5. The contacts of thecontact carrying blades are retained in an engaged position with theirrespective fixed contacts by the T-shaped actuator, and the line switch40 is closed. This position is maintained for a period of time asdetermined by the time interval between escapements. The time intervalcan be any desired interval, however, normally it is one minute as isthe case in the present invention.

Actuation of the cam carrying shaft by the escapement means causes theT-shaped actuator and the resilient, contact carrying blades to assumethe position of the dotted lines as shown in FIGURE 5. The intermittent,arcuate displacement of the cam carrying shaft is equal to the distancebetween the teeth of the partially toothed cam. The initial intermittentrotation of the cam carrying shaft causes the V-shaped projection 34 toramp up the slope of the tooth with which it was interfitting. Theresulting cam-ming action causes slotted step 30 and slotted step 32 tomove outwardly and beyond the furthest extremity of engaging tip 53 andengaging tip 54 respectively. The resilient contact carrying blade 49and the resilient contact carrying blade 50, both of which have beenmaintained in a biased position thereby storing energy, now are freedfrom their respective restrained positions. The energy stored thereby isreleased causing the contact carrying blade 49 to be displaced towardstep 31, and thereafter to become lodged on and retained by step 31 ofthe T-shaped actuator. The release of the energy stored by contactcarrying blade 50 displaces the blade to a lodged position on step 33 ofthe T-shaped actuator. The movement of the contact carrying bladescauses the contacts to disengage their respective fixed contacts therebyterminating of the electrical circuit associated therewith. Theresulting position of the T-shaped actuator and the contact carryingblades are illustrated by the dotted lines of FIGURE 5.

While the invention is illustrated and described in its preferredembodiment, it will be understood that modifications and variations maybe effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts ofthis invention and as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

II. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means, anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; coded indicia means carried by said shaft; a pluralityof contact carrying blades carried by said mounting means; fixedcontacts spaced from said contacts of said blades and connected to saidmounting means; and displaceable actuator means carried by said mountingmeans and having discrete steps and engaging said coded indicia of saidcoded indicia means, one of said steps engaging with said blades so asto bias said blades in engagement with said tfixed contacts as saidshaft is axially displaced, rotational displacement of said codedindicia means causes said actuator means to be displaced from an engagedposition with said blades so that said blades disengage with said fixedcontacts.

2. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: a mounting means;an axially displaceable shaft rotatably journalled in said mountingmeans; and an actuator mechanism including a biased actuator means, aplurality of contact carrying blades, and a coded indicia mean-s, saidcoded indicia means fixedly coupled to said shaft, said actuator meanshaving a plurality of steps and engaging said coded indicia of saidcoded indicia means and responsive to said indicia, said plurality ofcontact carrying blade means locked in engagement with fixed contacts byone of said steps of said actuator means as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, rotation of said coded indicia means displacing said actuatormeans thereby simultaneously disengaging said plurality of contactcarrying blade means from engagement with said fixed contacts to anotherstep of said actuator means.

3. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; coded indicia means carried by said shaft; a plural-ityof contact carrying blades including a free end carried by said mountingmeans; fixed contacts spaced from said contacts of said blades andconnected to said mounting means; and displaceable actuator meanscarried by said mounting means and having discrete steps and engagingsaid coded indicia of said coded indicia means, one of said stepsengaging with said free end of said blades so as to bias said blades inengagement with said fixed contacts as said shaft is axially displaced,rotational displacement of said coded indicia means causes said actuatormeans to be displaced from an engaged position with said blades so thatsaid blades disengage with said fixed contacts.

4. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; cam means having contoured surfaces carried by saidshaft; a plurality of contact carrying blades including a free endcarried by said mounting means; fixed contacts spaced from said contactsof said blades and connected to said mounting means; and displaceableactuator means carried by said mounting means and having discrete stepsand riding on said contoured surfaces of said cam means, one of saidsteps engaging with said free end of said blades so as to bias saidblades in engagement with said fixed contacts as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, rotational displacement of said cam causes said actuatormeans to be displaced by said contoured surfaces thereby displacing saidactuator means from an engaged position with said blades so that saidblades disengage with said fixed contacts.

5. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; partially toothed cam means carried by said shaft; aplurality of contact carrying blades including a free end carried bysaid mounting means; fixed contacts spaced from said contacts of saidblades and connected to said mounting means; and displaceable actuatormeans carried by said mounting means and having at least .two discretesteps and means riding on said partially toothed means, one of saidsteps engaging with said free end of said blades so as to bias saidblades in engagement with said fixed contacts as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, rotational displacement of said cam causes said means to rideup one of said teeth thereby displacing said one step of said actuatormeans from an engaged position with said blades so that said bladesdisengage with said fixed contacts and engage with said second step.

6. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; partially toothed cam means carried by said shaft; aplurality of contact carrying blades including a free end carried bysaid mounting means; fixed contacts spaced from said contacts of bladesand connected to said mounting means; and a spring biased actuator meanscarried by said mounting means and having at least two pairs of twodiscrete steps, said pairs of discrete steps separated by means ridingon said partially toothed means, one of said steps of said pairs ofsteps engaging with said free end of said blades so as to lock saidblades in engagement with said fixed contacts as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, notational displacement of said cam causes said means to rideup one of said teeth thereby displacing said one step of said actuatormeans from a locked position with said blades so that blades disengagewith said fixed contacts and engage with said second step.

7. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means; partially toothed cam means carried by said shaft; aplurality of contact carrying blades including a free end carried bysaid mounting means; fixed contacts spaced from said contacts of saidblades and connected to said mounting means; and a spring biasedactuator means carried by said mounting means and having at least twopairs of two discrete steps, said pairs of discrete steps separated bymeans riding on said partially toothed means, one of said steps of saidpairs of steps including a slot engaging with said free end of saidbaldes so as to lock said blades in engagement with said fixed contactsas said shaft is axially displaced, rotational dis placement of said camcauses said means to ride up one of said teeth thereby displacing saidslotted step of said actuator means from a locked position with saidblades so that said blades disengage with said fixed contacts and engagewith said second step.

8. A time controlled switching mechanism comprising: mounting means; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft rotatably journalled in saidmounting means and rotated in accordance with a determined programcycle; partially toothed cam means carried by said shaft; a plurality ofcontact carrying blades including a free end carried by said mountingmeans; fixed contacts spaced from said contacts of said blades andconnected to said mounting means; and a spring biased actuator meanscarried by said mounting means and having at least two pairs of twodiscrete steps, said pairs of discrete steps separated by means ridingon said partially toothed means, one of said steps of said pairs ofsteps including a slot engaging with said free end of said blades so asto lock said blades in engagement with said fixed contacts as said shaftis axially displaced, rotational displacement of said cam causes saidmeans to ride up one of said teeth thereby displacing said slotted stepof said actuator means from a locked position with said blades so thatsaid blades disengage with said fixed contacts and engage with saidsecond step, said second step being substantially fiat.

9. A timing device for sequentially actuating ta plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: means for supporting said timing device; an axiallydisplaceable shaft journalled in said support means; intermittent drivemeans, said shaft coupled to and intermittently driven by said drivemeans; and an actuator mechanism including an actuator means, aplurality of contact carrying blades, and coded indicia means fixedlycoupled to said shaft, said actuator means having a plurality of stepsand engaging with said coded indicia of said coded indicia means andresponsive to said indicia, said plurality of contact carrying blademeans biased in engage- 1G ment with fixed contacts by one of said stepsof said actuator means as said shaft is axially displaced, intermittentrotation of said coded indicia means displacing said actuator meansthereby disengaging said contact carrying blade means from engagementwith said fixed contacts to another step of said actuator means.

10. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: means for supporting said timing device; an axiallydisplaceable cam carrying shaft journalled in said support means;intermittent drive means, said cam shaft coupled to and intermittentlydriven by said drive means; and an actuator mechanism including springbiased actuator means, a plurality of contact carrying blades, and codedindicia means fixedly coupled to said shaft, said actuator means havinga plurality of steps and engaging said coded indicia of said codedindicia means and responsive to said indicia, said plurality of contactcarrying blade means locked in engagement with fixed contacts by one ofsaid steps of said actuator means as said shaft is axially displaced,intermittent rotation of said coded indicia means displacing saidactuator means thereby simultaneously disengaging said plurality ofcontact carrying blade means from engagement with said fixed contacts toanother step of said actuator means.

11. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: a means for supporting said timing device; anaxially displaceable cam carrying shaft journalled in said supportmeans; intermittent drive means, said cam shaft coupled to andintermittently driven by said drive means; and an actuator mechanismincluding spring biased actuator means, a plurality of contact carryingblades, and a partially toothed cam, said cam fixedly coupled to saidshaft and having a partially toothed periphery, said actuator meanshaving a plurality of steps and engaging said periphery of saidpartially toothed cam and responsive to said contours, said plurality ofcontact carrying blade means retained in engagement with fixed contactsby one of said steps of said actuator means as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, intermittent rotation of said partially toothed camdisplacing said actuator means thereby disengaging said contact oarryingblade means from engagement with said fixed contacts to another step ofsaid actuator means.

12. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plu rality ofelectrical circuits comprising: means for supporting said timing device;an axially displaceable cam carrying shaft journalled in said supportmeans; an intermittent drive means, said cam shaft coupled to andintermittently driven by said drive means; and an actuator mechanismincluding a spring biased actuator means, a plurality of cont actcarrying blades, and a partially toothed cam, said cam fixedly coupledto said shaft and having a partially toothed periphery, said actuatormeans having a plurality of steps and riding on said periphery of saidpartially toothed cam and responsive to said contours, said plurality ofcontact carrying blade means retained in engagement with fixed contactsby one of said steps of said actuator means as said shaft is axiallydisplaced, intermittent rotation of said partially toothed camdisplacing said actuator means thereby simultaneously disengaging saidplurality of contact carrying blade means from engagement with saidfixed contacts to another step of said actuator means, saiddisengagement terminating actuation of at least two of said electricalcircuits.

13. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: a means for supporting said timing device, saidmeans including a pair of plates in spaced parallel relationship; adrive means fixedly mounted on one of said plates; an escapement meanscoupled to said drive means, said escapement means intermittentlydriving gear means; an axially displaceable shaft journalled betweensaid pair of plates, said cam shaft coupled to and intermittently drivenby said gear means; a plurality of means fixedly coupled to said shaft,said means including peripheral rise and fall contours; a plurality offollower switches riding on the periphery of said means and responsiveto the contours thereof thereby making and breaking electricalcontinuity to said plurality of electrical circuits according to adesired sequence; a cam having a contoured periphery fixedly coupled tosaid shaft; an actuator means riding on said periphery of said contouredcam and responsive to said contours, said actuator means includingsteps; and a plurality of contact carrying blade means retained inengagement with fixed contacts by one of said steps of said actuatormeans as said shaft is axially displaced, intermittent rotation of saidcontoured cam displacing said actuator means thereby disengaging saidcontact carrying blade means from engagement with said fixed contacts.

14. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: a means for supporting said timing device, saidmeans including a pair of plates in spaced parallel relationship; adrive means fixedly mounted on one of said plates; an escapernent meanscoupled to said drive means, said escapernent means intermittentlydriving gear means; an axially displaceable cam carrying shaftjournalled between said pair of plates, said cam shaft coupled to andintermittently driven by said gear means; a plurality of cam meansfixedly coupled to said shaft, said cam means including peripheral riseand fall contours; a plurality of follower switches riding on theperiphery of said cam means and responsive to the contours thereofthereby making and breaking electrical continuity to said plurality ofelectrical circuits according to a desired sequence; a cam having apartially toothed periphery fixedly coupled to said shaft; an actuatormeans riding on said periphery of said partially toothed cam andresponsive to said contours, said actuator means including at least twodiscrete steps; and a plurality of contact carrying blade means retainedin engagement with fixed contacts by one of said steps of said actuatormeans, as said shaft is axially displaced, intermittent rotation of saidpartially toothed cam displacing said actuator means thereby disengagingsaid contact carrying blade means from engagement with said fixedcontacts.

15. A timing device for sequentially actuating :a plurality ofelectrical circuits comprising: a means for supporting said timingdevice, said means including a pair of plates in spaced parallelrelationship; a drive means fixedly mounted on one of said plates; anescapernent means coupled to said drive means, said escapernent meansintermittently driving gear means; an axially displaceable cam carryingshaft journalled between said pair of plates, said cam shaft coupled toand intermittently driven by said gear means; a plurality of cam meansfixedly coupled to said shaft, said cam means including peripheral riseand fall contours; a plurality of follower switches riding on theperiphery of said cam means and responsive to the contours thereofthereby making and breaking electrical continuity to said plurality ofelectrical circuits according to a desired sequence; a cam having apartially toothed peripherryfixedly coupled to said shaft; an actuatormeans riding on said periphery of said partially toothed cam andresponsive to said contours, said actuator means including at least twodiscrete steps; and a plurality of contact carrying blade means lockedin engagement with fixed contacts by one of said steps of said actuatormeans as said shaft is axially displaced, intermittent rotation of saidpartially toothed cam displacing said actuator means thereby disengagingsaid contact carrying blade means from engagement with said fixedcontacts, said disengagement ter- 12 minating actuation of at least twoof said electrical circuits.

16. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: a means for supporting said timing device, saidmeans including a pair of plates in spaced parallel relationship; adrive means fixedly mounted on one of said plates; an escapernent meanscoupled to said drive means, said escapernent means intermittentlydriving gear means; an axially'displaceable cam carrying shaftjournalled between said pair of plates, said cam shaft coupled to andintermittently driven by said gear means; a plurality of cam meansfixedly coupled to said shaft, said cam means including peripheral riseand fall contours; a plurality of follower switches riding on theperiphery of said cam means and responsive to the contours thereofthereby making and breaking electrical continuity to said plurality ofelectrical circuits according to a desired sequence; a cam having apartially toothed periphery fixedly coupled to said shaft; a springbiased actuator means riding on said periphery of said partially toothedcam and responsive to said contours, said actuator means including atleast two discrete steps; and a plurality of contact carrying blademeans locked in engagement with fixed contacts by one of said steps ofsaid actuator means as said shaft is axially displaced, intermittentrotation of said partially toothed cam displacing said actuator meansthereby disengaging said contact carrying blade means from engagementwith said fixed contacts, said disengagement terminating actuation of atleast two of said circuits.

17. A timing device for sequentially actuating a plurality of electricalcircuits comprising: a means for supporting said timing device, saidmeans including a pair of plates in spaced parallel relationship; adrive means fixedly mounted on one of said plates; an escapernent meanscoupled to said drive means, said escapernent means intermittentlydriving gear means; an axially displaceable cam carrying shaftjournalled between said pair of plates, said cam shaft coupled to andintermittently driven by said gear means; a plurality of cam meansfixedly coupled to said shaft, said cam means including peripheral riseand fall contours; a plurality of follower switches riding on theperiphery of said cam means and responsive to the contours thereofthereby making and breaking electrical continuity to said plurality ofelectrical circuits according to a desired sequence; a cam having apartially toothed periphery fixedly coupled to said shaft; a springbiased actuator means having a surface of predetermined configurationriding on said periphery of said partially toothed cam and responsive tosaid contours, said actuator means including at least two pairs of twodiscrete steps, said pairs of discrete steps separated by said surfaceriding on said partially toothed cam; and a plurality of contactcarrying blade means locked in engagement with fixed contacts by aslotted one of said steps \of said actuator means as said shaft isaxially displaced, intermittent rotation of said partially toothed camdisplacing said actuator means thereby simultaneously disengaging saidcontact carrying blade means from engagement with said fixed contactsand engaging with said second step, said disengagement terminatingactuation ofat least two of said circuits.

References Cited by the Examiner V UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,424,116 7/1947 Puerner 20038 2,956,142 10/1960 Koehler 200l66 3,188,409 6/1965Linn 200-38 3,188,504 6/1965 Anderson 20038 X BERNARD A. GILHEANY,Primary Examiner. G. MAIER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TIME CONTROLLED SWITCHING MECHANISM COMPRISING: MOUNTING MEANS, ANAXIALLY DISPLACEABLE CAM CARRYING SHAFT ROTATABLY JOURNALLED IN SAIDMOUNTING MEANS; FIXED INDICIA MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT; A PLURALITYOF CONTACT CARRYING BLADES CARRIED BY SAID MOUNTING MEANS; FIXEDCONTACTS SPACED FROM SAID CONTACTS OF SAID BLADES AND CONNECTED TO SAIDMOUNTING MEANS; AND DISPLACEABLE ACTUATOR MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MOUNTINGMEANS AND HAVING DISCRETE STEPS AND ENGAGING SAID CODED INDICIA OF SAIDCODED INDICIA MEANS, ONE OF SAID STEPS ENGAGING WITH SAID BLADES SO ASTO BIAS SAID BLADES IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIXED CONTACTS AS SAID SHAFTIS AXIALLY DISPLACED, ROTATIONAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID CODED INDICIAMEANS CAUSES SAID ACTUATOR MEANS TO BE DISPLACED FROM AN ENGAGEDPOSITION WITH SAID BLADES SO THAT SAID BLADES DISENGAGE WITH SAID FIXEDCONTACTS.